When one thinks of the Spitfire, visions of dogfights in the Battle of Britain spring to mind. Very little has appeared on the elite photo-reconnaissance (PR) machines that criss-crossed occupied Europe at various altitudes with only their speed and stealth as a defence. Spitfire in Blue helps to rectify this imbalance through tracing the history of one single Spitfire - Mk XI PL965. A wartime veteran of dozens of dangerous missions with No. 16 squadron during the last year of the war, this machine has survived into the 1990s to be the only air worthy example of a Mk XI in the world today. Text by Hugh Smallwood.

Contents

Dedication

16 Squadron Losses, 2nd TAF Period

Author's Note

Foreword

Prelude

Battle of Britain Connection

Aldermaston Spitfire

Spitfire Type 365, Photo-Reconnaissance, PR Mark XI

Formidable Opponents

IP & IP

34 Wing, 2nd Tactical Air Force

Into Action with 16 Squadron

PR Problems and Solutions

PL965 Pilots I

Bellerby's One Hundredth Trip

Andy's Tour

Officers Commanding

Tommy and the '262s

PL 965 Pilots II

'Q-for' Engineering

Daily Inspection Section

Farewell 16 Squadron

Spitfire Air Dispatch Letter Service

Dutch Air Force Spitfire

Overloon 1960-1987

Rochester Restoration

Rare Wartime Colour Photographs

Appendix I - No. 16 Squadron RFC and RAF

Appendix II - Supermarine's Southern Region Dispersal Scheme

Appendix III - The Merlin 70 - Developed for Superior Performance at Altitude